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Hardiness: USDA Zone 2b: to -42.7 °C (-45 °F) USDA Zone 3a: to -39.9 °C (-40 °F) USDA Zone 3b: to -37.2 °C (-35 °F) USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F) USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F) USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F) USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F) USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F) USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F) USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F) USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
Sun Exposure: Full Sun
Danger: Plant has spines or sharp edges; use extreme caution when handling
Bloom Color: Bright Yellow
Bloom Time: Late Spring/Early Summer
Foliage: Deciduous
Other details: Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Soil pH requirements: 7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline) 7.9 to 8.5 (alkaline)
Patent Information: Non-patented
Propagation Methods: From seed; winter sow in vented containers, coldframe or unheated greenhouse From seed; direct sow after last frost
Seed Collecting: Bag seedheads to capture ripening seed Allow pods to dry on plant; break open to collect seeds Seed does not store well; sow as soon as possible
I love this shrub. Yes, it is thorny, but so are roses. The doves come every year to eat the seeds when the pods burst. During the depression, farmers used the seed to feed their chickens. Since I raise poultry, I plan to gather the seeds and start them this fall in my greenhouse (sorry doves).
On Jun 4, 2009, Marlina from Blaine, MN (Zone 4b) wrote:
We were just up North camping and noticed this shrub because of the Hummingbirds . They were just nuts for them. Wouldn't leave them alone . I was thinking of getting one but am conserned about it's invasive nature.
On Jun 1, 2007, SummerLion from Two Rivers, AK (Zone 1) wrote:
I'm interested to see that this plant is considered invasive in Alaska. When we bought this house in 1999, the previous owners had just planted a long line of them along the drive. They were approximately 2 ft. tall then, and they're about 8 ft. tall now.
They are self-sowing: The seed pods burst and fling the seed as far as several feet away, and we now have new plants across the driveway and in the yard.
They're also thorny, which makes pruning no fun.
They are good as screens and windbreaks, and the birds really seem to like them as cover, but because of the overabundance of upstarts (and now this notice that it's a nuisance plant), I wouldn't recommend it.
On Oct 3, 2006, darylmitchell from Saskatoon, SK (Zone 3a) wrote:
Caraganas are extremely hardy; they are tolerant of drought and extreme cold. They prefer full sull but can tolerate some shade, and also can tolerate some saline conditions. Caraganas need well drained soil and cannot withstand repeated flooding. They have been planted extensively in rural shelterbelts on the Canadian prairies.
This plant is considered invasive in many areas, especially northern regions, as it escapes cultivation and has the potential to widely spread in previously pristine natural areas. I work for the Forest Service in Alaska as an Ecologist in our Seward office, and this plant is being included in an upcoming multi-agency invasive plants book for Alaska, with the recommendation that it not be purchased, planted, traded, or grown.
On Aug 18, 2004, BingsBell from SC, MT (Zone 5a) wrote:
A good shrub for hiding fences, I use mine in rows to help with wind barriers along with evergreens. Once established, they don't require much including water. They seem to be pest resistant.
On Apr 7, 2004, gardener51 from Omaha, NE (Zone 4b) wrote:
This shrub is very hardy and can even be grown in a container large enough for the roots and live through the winter.
Regional...
This plant has been said to grow in the following regions:
Seward, Alaska Two Rivers, Alaska Amherst, Massachusetts Minneapolis, Minnesota Billings, Montana Elizabeth City, North Carolina Belfield, North Dakota Medora, North Dakota Duchesne, Utah
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